LETTER: Events to honor courage of Sam Davis

We are now half way through the Civil War Sesquicentennial. In Rutherford County there have been commemorations of Forrest's Murfreesboro Raid and the Battle of Stones River. This month is the anniversary of one of the greatest personal stories to come out of the Civil War, especially of local interest, that of Sam Davis.

Sam Davis, a Smyrna native, was a member of the Coleman Scouts, a Confederate unit, during the Civil War. He was captured by Union soldiers on Nov. 20, 1863, at Minor Hill and taken to Pulaski, where he was charged with being a spy, which he denied.

He was offered his freedom if he would name his leader, but refused to do so. On Nov. 27, 1863, at the gallows, after being offered one final chance to live, spoke his immortal words: "If I had a thousand lives to live, I would give them all before I betrayed a friend." He is buried in the family cemetery, behind the Sam Davis Home in Smyrna.

This story of honor, courage and personal sacrifice, not only makes Sam the Confederate hero, it makes him a Tennessee hero. Sam is one of only five people to have a statue on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol, another statue of Sam Davis stands at the Giles County courthouse, within a few blocks of where he was executed.

Locally, we are fortunate to have the Sam Davis Home and farm preserved for current and future generations to remember him and his timeless story.

To commemorate the life of Sam Davis, a three-day event is being held in his honor, "Sam Davis, a Hero Remembered," which is being sponsored by Murfreesboro Camp # 33Sons of Confederate Veterans. The main event will be on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Sam Davis home in Smyrna. There will be Civil War artillery, infantry and cavalry demonstrations throughout the day. Music performed by the Coleman Scouts and the Caudell's. A play about Sam will be performed twice during the day.

A Civil War show will have several local relics, including the Jack Hinson rifle as well as several local authors. On loan from the Tennessee state museum will be the overcoat that Sam's mother gave him on his last visit home, he was wearing it when he was captured. One of Sam's boots and an original edition of the Charleston Mercury with an eyewitness account of the execution are also on loan from the state museum.

On loan from the Giles County Historical society will be the shackles that Sam wore and the inkwell that Gen. Dodge used to sign the execution orders. The house and museum will be open for tours; free genealogy research will be available for those that would like to see if they have Civil War ancestors. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. There are several other events that weekend, you can get more details at www.samdavis150.com or go to: Sam Davis a Hero Remembered on Facebook.

James G. Patterson

Genoa Drive

Murfreesboro

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LETTER: Events to honor courage of Sam Davis

We are now half way through the Civil War Sesquicentennial. In Rutherford County there have been commemorations of Forrest's Murfreesboro Raid and the Battle of Stones River.